What you see after a search:

When a search is completed a tabular report of the hits is displayed. The report shows the Search Criteria and Progressive Hits.  Only the first 10 hits are displayed; the next 10 hits can be seen by clicking on the button at the bottom of the page.  To view the complete table, click on the Show All Records button at the bottom of the page.

To see more or continue your search:

The column labels on the report can be used to sort your search criteria. Eg.  Clicking on Commodities column header will sort the results by commodity. 

Clicking the MINFILE Number entry will display the MINFILE Record Summary Report for that occurrence. From here you can click on Inventory Report or Production Report links if they exist for that occurrence.  You can also click on the Select Report pull down box and select either the MINFILE Inventory Detail Report, Production Detail Report or Inventory Detail Report if they exist for that occurrence.  You can also use Print Preview for of any of these three reports and view them in either pdf or MSWord format. 

If the MINFILE Search is chosen, you are taken back to your original  search. To continue to refine your search select the criteria or to start a new search hit Clear and start again. 

To see a MINFILE occurrence on MapPlace:

If any Longitude or Latitude entry is selected OR if the Show Results on MapPlace button is clicked on, a MapGuide window is opened with the map centred on the selected MINFILE occurrence. You must manually turn on the MINFILE Status layer, and other preferred layers, using the MapGuide legend.  NOTE: You must set-up your browser with the MapGuide Viewer. For more information, visit The MapPlace or the Autodesk MapGuide site.

If you are in MapPlace, you can go directly to the MINFILE report for an occurrence by double clicking on the point.

To get a list of occurrences:

At the top righthand corner of the results page there is an option called Select Download.  Select MINFILE Numbers labels and hit download. This list (saved as a *.txt file) can be imported into MINFILE/pc and the many report and extract features of this software can be used.

See also To import a list of MINFILE Numbers.

To see capsule geology and bibliography:

The Capsule Geology and Bibliography for each report is displayed on both the MINFILE Record Summary Report and the MINFILE Detailed Report.  They also link to Production and Inventory reports, if any.

To get production data:

If there is production data associated with an occurrence, it can be viewed by clicking on the the Status type label under the Status column in the tabular report of hits. This report lists yearly production, with comment fields at the bottom.

The MINFILE Production Detail Report will display production by year and totals for each occurrence in your search criteria.

You can also download a production data file or open it in Excel (assuming you associated the download file to Excel) by selecting  Production Data from the Downloads menu.  This download will display gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc and 3 other commodities in columns for easier handling of sums and calculations.

To get inventory data:

If there is inventory data associated with an occurrence, it can be viewed by selecting the Inventory Report label under the Status column in the tabular report of hits. This report lists tonnage and commodity grade, with references and comments.

The MINFILE Inventory Detail Report will display production totals for each occurrence in your search criteria.

You can also download an inventory data file or open it in Excel (assuming you associated the download file to Excel) by selecting  Inventory Data from the Downloads menu.  This download will display gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc and 3 other commodities in columns for easier handling of sums and calculations.

To quickly call up single MINFILE Numbers:

While you are in the MINFILE Record Summary Report, you can edit the URL Location to retrieve the same report on another MINFILE Number.  Simply change the MINFILE Number at the end of the URL Script.  Remember to add ++ for the two spaces in MINFILE numbers without NE, NW, SE, SW and use all CAPITAL letters.  For example, this location will retrieve the Capsule Geology and Bibliography report for Eskay Creek:

http://minfile.gov.bc.ca/Summary.aspx?minfilno=104B++008

To import a list of MINFILE Numbers:

A list of MINFILE Numbers can be imported into your search for downloading or reporting on a specific set of MINFILE occurrences.  The import list must have a .txt extension.  Enter the full file path and name (e.g. c:\minfile\work\list.txt) or browse your computer for the file.  Once complete the Search Results screen will appear populated with the data for your import list (e.g. list.txt).

Lists can be created using MINFILE/pc, from searches on the web, or created using an editor such as Notepad.  The list must follow the format for MINFILE numbers and must have a .txt file extension.

To locate assessment and industry information on deposits:

Direct links to Assessment Report summaries and to Mining and Exploration companies are listed in the bibliography section of the MINFILE Record Summary report.

Visit Industry Web Links in MINFILE for a list of Industry web links in our MINFILE bibliography.  Also visit BC Mines Directory for an address list of active mines and companies and Mineral Statistics for metal, coal and  industrial mineral statistics and lists of active companies.  The Association for Mineral Exploration in British Columbia promotes mining activity in BC.

Useful links:

Your Guide to Locating MINFILE Information is a one-page list of links for finding mineral occurrence information.
New Occurrences & Updates in MINFILE lists additions and monthly changes to the MINFILE database.